Artist's Biography
Denice grew up on a dairy farm in North Ogden, and lived on a dry farm in Idaho. She has a deep respect and love of Mother Earth, and feels a strong connection to nature and to the land. Every aspect of nature gives her a visual feast daily. “For me to try to capture all this beauty is a lifelong love; I will have until I am no more – retirement isn’t in my vocabulary.”
Denice Barker’s love of art began at a very young age. Her grandma, Dora Marler Williams, was an artist and gave Denice lessons in pastel. Denice fondly remembers her grandmother’s gentle spirit, her art spirit and her work. “I discovered that my language was a visual language, just like my Grandma Dora’s”.
Denice’s medium of choice is oil paint, with an impressionistic and expressive style that is constantly evolving. Denice notes, “I am still exploring. Actually, I am in the process of interpretation. The constant question is, how will I interpret nature?”
Right now, Denice is painting mostly landscapes, animals, and still-lives. She says that “capturing the spirit, the energy, the essences and impression of the subject is the direction of my heart, hand and brush are taking me.”
The abundant energy in Denice’s paintings is a result of her lively palette, playful, broad brush stoke, and carefully implied detail.
Denice studied art at both Weber State University and Idaho State University. She has also studied with established artists through classes and workshops, including Lorna Obermeyer, Kent Wallis, Kathleen Torgensen Murdock, Harold Gregor, David Koch and Diane Turner.
“I’ve had some excellent teachers and positive support from my family and friends. I have been blessed. At times, I feel the same way LeConte Stewart did when he summed up his life and motivation for painting by saying, “That’s the only reason I’ve painted. It’s been fun. I’d rather do it than eat.”
